SLN, Sea Tigers clash off Mullaithivu

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 April 2001, 16:47 GMT]A Sri Lanka Navy gun boat was damaged and seven sailors were wounded in a sea battle between the Sea Tigers and the Navy off the coast of Chaalai in north-east of the island in the early hours of Monday, military sources said. Voice of Tigers radio said the fighting erupted when the SLN crafts engaged Sea Tiger boats off the coast of Mullaithivu around 1.45 a.m.

A SLN Dvora fast attack craft was damaged in the ensuing sea battle that lasted for nearly two hours, the radio said.

Two LTTE members were killed in the incident, according to the Voice of Tigers radio. The radio identified them as: Lt. Thamilmaravan (Sivalingam Rajeetnhiran of Kilinochchi) and 2nd Lt.Kavimahal (Selvamathy Loganayagam of Ampara).